Elmer Rodrigo, a waste worker under Project E-REDUCE, stands beside his padyak used for daily collection across barangays in General Santos City, supporting more organized and safer waste management.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — For many informal waste workers, collecting recyclable materials has long been an overlooked and often underappreciated livelihood. In General Santos City, however, a growing community-driven initiative is helping transform that reality—bringing greater dignity, safety, and stability to the people who play a vital role in managing the city’s waste.
Through Project E-REDUCE, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI), together with the Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum Inc. and local government partners, is strengthening waste management systems while creating more opportunities for informal waste workers and grassroots organizations across General Santos City.
Since 2018, the initiative has worked hand-in-hand with local communities, barangays, civil society groups, and environmental advocates to build a more organized and inclusive approach to household waste management—one that recognizes waste workers as essential partners in environmental sustainability.
Elevating the Role of Waste Workers
At the heart of Project E-REDUCE is a simple but powerful goal: empower the people who recover, sort, and collect recyclable materials every day.
Elmer removes the cap and label from a PET bottle as part of proper waste segregation, applying his training on which materials can be recovered and have value.
The program equips participating waste workers with training on waste segregation, material classification, and record-keeping while providing essential protective gear to improve workplace safety.
Beyond training, the initiative supports workers with identification cards, designated collection routes, and specially designed padyak units that help make daily collection more efficient and organized. These measures allow waste workers to operate as part of coordinated barangay-level collection systems in partnership with local authorities.
Project E-REDUCE has also helped establish and strengthen Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) throughout the city, improving the collection, sorting, and diversion of recyclable materials away from landfills.
“Project E-REDUCE reflects the importance of working with local partners and communities who are closest to the challenge,” said Cecile Alcantara, President of CCFPI. “Our role is to support practical, community-led approaches that help waste workers operate more safely and with greater stability over time.”
Building Stronger Communities Through Better Waste Management
What began as a series of coastal clean-up drives and waste recovery activities has evolved into a citywide initiative supporting 26 barangays.
Originally launched as Project REDUCE, the program focused on addressing plastic waste in coastal communities through clean-up efforts, school partnerships, and environmental awareness campaigns. Over time, it expanded to include waste management systems in schools, riverbank communities, and residential areas, encouraging households to adopt proper waste segregation practices.
Today, Project E-REDUCE works closely with barangays and local government units to align community initiatives with General Santos City’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan, creating a more sustainable and coordinated approach to waste management.
“When communities are involved, people take ownership and accountability. That’s what makes systems sustainable,” said Kim Bogador of SPECTRUM Inc.
Restoring Dignity Through Livelihood
For waste worker Elmer Rodrigo, the project has been life-changing.
Before joining the program, Elmer navigated uncertain collection routes, unreliable equipment, and minimal protection while carrying out his daily work. Through Project E-REDUCE, he received training, safety gear, and a new padyak, allowing him to operate within a structured collection network.
“People looked down on us before. There was even a time that someone stole my padyak,” Elmer recalled. “Now, because there is a system in place and people recognize what we do, we are treated with more respect. I feel more secure in my work and there is dignity in what I do.”
With improved equipment and clearer routes, Elmer now earns a more stable income while helping households become more active participants in recycling efforts.
Coastal Communities Taking Ownership
The program’s impact extends beyond waste collection.
In Barangay Bula, the Zone Six Small Fishermen Association (ZSSFA) has emerged as a local champion for environmental stewardship. Led by association president Cheryl Galo, the group has strengthened its organizational capacity through leadership training and environmental education support provided under Project E-REDUCE.
Today, the association conducts regular coastal clean-ups, manages a mangrove nursery that supplies seedlings to neighboring communities, and operates a community-built boardwalk that serves as both a tourism attraction and a source of supplemental income.
“After the training sessions, we became more organized and our sense of community grew stronger,” Cheryl said. “We are now capable of training others, conducting more frequent clean-ups, and encouraging greater participation in environmental protection.”
Partnerships Driving Lasting Change
As Project E-REDUCE continues to expand, its success highlights the value of collaboration among communities, local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
By combining livelihood support with practical waste management solutions, the initiative demonstrates how local partnerships can create meaningful environmental and social impact.
The program also supports Coca-Cola Philippines’ broader sustainability efforts, including strengthening packaging collection and recycling systems and promoting the use of recycled materials such as recycled PET (rPET) through partnerships with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and communities.
More importantly, Project E-REDUCE shows that when communities are empowered and waste workers are recognized, environmental progress becomes not only possible—but sustainable.